U.S. patent application number 15/552704 was filed with the patent office on 2018-02-01 for a method of providing a live fire training environment and a moveable target for use therein.
The applicant listed for this patent is Marathon Robotics Pty Ltd. Invention is credited to Alex Brooks, Tobias Kaupp, Alexei Makarenko.
Application Number | 20180031355 15/552704 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56787799 |
Filed Date | 2018-02-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180031355 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brooks; Alex ; et
al. |
February 1, 2018 |
A METHOD OF PROVIDING A LIVE FIRE TRAINING ENVIRONMENT AND A
MOVEABLE TARGET FOR USE THEREIN
Abstract
Methods and systems for providing a live fire training
environment are described, the methods including the steps of:
providing a number of moveable targets, the targets being arranged
to move across a ground surface; introducing the targets into a
live fire training area, the live fire training area having at
least one firing position where participants take up position to
fire at the targets; and instructing the targets to commence
repeated movements in a generally side to side fashion with respect
to the at least one firing position.
Inventors: |
Brooks; Alex; (Newton,
AU) ; Kaupp; Tobias; (St. Peters, AU) ;
Makarenko; Alexei; (New South Wales, AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Marathon Robotics Pty Ltd |
New South Wales |
|
AU |
|
|
Family ID: |
56787799 |
Appl. No.: |
15/552704 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
February 5, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU2016/050066 |
371 Date: |
August 22, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01S 17/931 20200101;
F41J 9/02 20130101; F41J 11/00 20130101; F41J 1/00 20130101; G09B
19/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41J 9/02 20060101
F41J009/02; G01S 17/93 20060101 G01S017/93; F41J 1/00 20060101
F41J001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 23, 2015 |
AU |
2015900616 |
Claims
1. A method of providing a live fire training environment including
the steps of: providing a number of moveable targets, the targets
being capable of movement in two opposite major directions across a
ground surface; introducing the targets into a live fire training
area, the live fire training area having at least one firing
position where participants take up position to fire at the
targets; and instructing the targets to commence repeated movements
in the two opposite major directions in a generally side to side
fashion with respect to the at least one firing position.
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the targets are instructed
to move to pre-determined distances from the firing position before
commencing their side to side movements.
3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the targets are deployed
from a vehicle.
4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the targets are deployed
from the vehicle when the vehicle is in the region of the firing
position.
5. A moveable target for use in a live fire training environment
including: movement means enabling the target to move across a
ground surface in two opposite major directions of travel; a
positioning system to enable the target to be positioned in a live
fire training area; and armour to protect at least one electronic
system of the target from damage due to bullet strikes; wherein the
armour is concentrated at one side of the target.
6. (canceled)
7. (canceled)
8. A moveable target according to claim 5 further including a
collision avoidance system to detect the presence of obstacles when
moving in either of the two major directions of travel.
9. A moveable target according to claim 5 which includes a
generally human shaped region.
10. A moveable target according to claim 9 wherein the human shaped
region is ambiguously shaped to appear to face in the direction of
travel of the target in both of the two major directions of
travel.
11. A moveable target according to claim 9 wherein the human shaped
region is mounted on a turntable to orient the human shaped region
to face in either direction of travel.
12. A moveable target for use in a live fire training environment
including: movement means enabling the target to move across a
ground surface in two opposite major directions of travel; and a
positioning system to enable the target to be positioned in a live
fire training area; the target includes an ambiguously shaped
region to appear to face in the direction of travel of the target
in both of the two major directions of travel; and further
including a collision avoidance system to detect the presence of
obstacles when moving in either of the two major directions of
travel.
13. A moveable target according to claim 12 which further includes
armour to protect at least one electronic system of the target from
damage due to bullet strikes.
14. A moveable target according to claim 13 wherein the armour is
concentrated at one side of the target.
15. A moveable target according to claim 12 wherein the ambiguously
shaped region includes a generally human shaped region.
16. A moveable target for use in a live fire training environment
including: movement means enabling the target to move across a
ground surface in two opposite major directions of travel; and a
positioning system to enable the target to be positioned in a live
fire training area; the target includes a region which is mounted
on a turntable to orient the region of the target to face in either
direction of travel; and further including a collision avoidance
system to detect the presence of obstacles when moving in either of
the two major directions of travel.
17. A moveable target according to claim 16 which further includes
armour to protect at least one electronic system of the target from
damage due to bullet strikes.
18. A moveable target according to claim 17 wherein the armour is
concentrated at one side of the target.
19. A moveable target according to claim 16 wherein the region of
the target mounted on the turntable includes a generally human
shaped region.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to systems and methods for use
in live fire training environments.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] It is usual practice in military organisations to use a
firing range to train soldiers to hit moving targets. This is
typically accomplished by installing targets on the range which
move from side to side on fixed rails protected by reinforced banks
of earth known as berms. The soldiers stand, kneel or lie in a line
at one end of the range and shoot at the moving targets as they
move left to right (and right to left). A number of targets are
usually installed at various distances from the firing position of
the soldiers.
[0003] However, such target arrangements are time consuming and
costly to install due to the need to build the earth berms and lay
rails. Also, once installed they are time consuming and costly to
reconfigure. If damage occurs to one target then the entire range
must be cleared to allow maintenance work to be carried out on the
damaged target.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In a first aspect the present invention provides a method of
providing a live fire training environment including the steps of:
providing a number of moveable targets, the targets being arranged
to move across a ground surface; introducing the targets into a
live fire training area, the live fire training area having at
least one firing position where participants take up position to
fire at the targets; and instructing the targets to commence
repeated movements in a generally side to side fashion with respect
to the at least one firing position.
[0005] Optionally, the targets are instructed to move to
pre-determined distances from the firing position before commencing
their side to side movements.
[0006] Optionally, the targets are deployed from a vehicle.
[0007] Optionally, the targets are deployed from the vehicle when
the vehicle is in the region of the firing position.
[0008] In a second aspect the present invention provides a moveable
target for use in a live fire training environment including:
movement means enabling the target to move across a ground surface
in two opposite major directions of travel; and a positioning
system to enable the target to be positioned in a live fire
training area.
[0009] Optionally, the moveable target rurther includes armour to
protect at least one electronic system of the target from damage
due to bullet strikes.
[0010] Optionally, the armour is concentrated at one side of the
target.
[0011] Optionally, the moveable target further includes a collision
avoidance system to detect the presence of obstacles when moving in
either of the two major directions of travel.
[0012] Optionally, the moveable target includes a generally human
shaped region.
[0013] Optionally, the human shaped region is ambiguously shaped to
appear to face in the direction of travel of the target in both of
the two major directions of travel.
[0014] Optionally, the human shaped region is mounted on a
turntable to orient the human shaped region to face in either
direction of travel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] An embodiment of the present invention will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a moveable target
according;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the target of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the target of FIG.
1;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a schematic overhead view of a firing range;
and
[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates the types of movements supported by the
target of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a moveable target 10 is shown.
The target 10 is a modified version of the robotic targets
described in applicant's international patent application published
as WO2011/035363, the entire contents of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
[0022] Target 10 includes movement means for enabling the target to
move across a ground surface in the form of wheels 14 attached to
chassis 12. An upstanding human shaped dummy 18 is carried by
chassis 12. Target is capable of movement in two opposite major
directions to the left and right in the figure indicated by arrows
"MOTION".
[0023] Target 10 includes a GPS based positioning system to enable
accurate positioning of the target in a training area.
[0024] A collision avoidance system includes laser rangefinder 16
which is arranged to scan for obstacles ahead of the two major
directions of movement.
[0025] Target 10 includes a system of steel plate armour including
main plate 20, minor plates 22 and hub protectors 24. The armour
protects the vulnerable parts of the target, and particularly the
electrical systems of the target, from damage due to bullet
strikes. As best seen in FIG. 3, the minor plates do not extend
upwards as far as the main plate 20. This allows the laser
rangefinder 16 to "see" in the two directions of travel to the
extent of broken lines A and B as shown in FIG. 1.
[0026] The armour is concentrated at one side of the target, being
the side of the target which is predominantly exposed to bullet
strikes from live ammunition fire when in use. There are weight
constraints as to how much armour the chassis can carry.
Concentrating the armour to the areas which are exposed to fire
allows the maximum weight of armour to be provided where it is most
needed.
[0027] As best seen comparing FIGS. 2 and 3, the human shaped dummy
18 has a discernible head and shoulders. The shoulders are wider
when viewed front-on as in FIG. 3, giving the dummy the appearance
of facing in the direction of travel of the target 10. Furthermore,
because the head of the human shaped dummy is of somewhat ambiguous
appearance, it will appear to the human eye, particularly when
viewed from a distance, to be facing in the direction of travel
regardless of which of the two major directions the target is
currently moving in. This is largely due to the fact that an
onlooker will perceive the human shape to be moving forwards,
rather than backwards, which is an unnatural movement.
[0028] When the target 10 is configured to move across a firing
range and back again it will always appear that the dummy is facing
forwards. This effect is enhanced if obstacles or other visual
screens are provided at the points where the target changes
direction. This tricks a human onlooker to perceive that the dummy
or the target has turned around whilst it was out of view behind
the screen.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 4, a live fire training area in the form
of firing range 30 is shown. The firing range 30 has a firing line
32 from which participants 40 shoot at targets 10 in a down range
region 34 of the range.
[0030] Targets 10 are introduced into the range by being deployed
from a vehicle in the form of trailer 52 towed by a vehicle 50. The
targets 10 are commanded by way of a command base station device
such as a laptop computer or other computing device to move down a
ramp of the trailer and to travel down range to take up positions
at various pre-determined distances from the firing line 32. The
targets are instructed to commence repeated movements from side to
side from the point of view of the participants 40.
[0031] In FIG. 4, two targets have been deployed. One adopts a
pattern of movement 36a; the other adopts a pattern of movement
36b. The participants are instructed by a training or testing
office to take aim and fire at particular targets. A hit detection
system built into each target records bullet strikes to allow the
shooting accuracy of each participant to be measured.
[0032] Targets 10 may be instructed to move in a side to side
fashion to simulate the appearance of a traditional type of target
moving on fixed rails, or may adopt other more varied side to side
movements. Referring to FIG. 5, examples of possible patterns of
movement of target 10 are shown. The paths shown in solid lines are
supported; the path shown in broken line is not because the
electronics would not be hidden from incoming bullets behind the
main plate 20.
[0033] In the embodiment described above the human shaped dummy
appeared to be facing forwards regardless of the direction of
travel due to the head of the dummy having a somewhat ambiguous
appearance. In other embodiments the dummy may be mounted on a
rotating mechanism such as a turntable which allows the dummy to be
rotated to face in the direction of travel.
[0034] In the embodiment described above the target had the
appearance of a human shaped dummy. In other embodiments the target
may have other appearances such as resembling a vehicle or an
animal.
[0035] In the embodiment described above the targets were deployed
from a vehicle in the form of a trailer. In other embodiments other
types of vehicles may be used such as a van or a truck.
[0036] It can be seen that embodiments of the invention have at
least one of the following advantages: [0037] the safety and
repeatability of a rail based system, but with the advantages of
robotics [0038] Reduced upfront time/costs (no earthmoving etc) and
reduced maintenance costs (lack of fixed infrastructure such as
rails and downrange power out in the weather). [0039] Increased
flexibility: the "virtual rails" can be moved around in software
without expensive and time consuming redeployment of physical
berms/rails. [0040] Decreased equipment ownership by providing "on
demand" targetry: (a) a small stable of robots can be used to serve
a large number of training ranges within a facility, being deployed
by trailer as and where required, and (b) within a single range, a
small number of robots can provide targetry at multiple distances
by moving to different areas of the range on demand. [0041]
Decreased setup time due to the ability to "self deploy" from a
trailer. [0042] Decreased downtime, resulting in increased training
throughput, due to the fact that an unserviceable target can simply
be substituted out (even during training) rather than forcing
shooters to make do with the fraction of the rail based targets
which are still operable.
[0043] Any reference to prior art contained herein is not to be
taken as an admission that the information is common general
knowledge, unless otherwise indicated.
[0044] Finally, it is to be appreciated that various alterations or
additions may be made to the parts previously described without
departing from the spirit or ambit of the present invention.
* * * * *